What's Up With All This Hate?

And I'm not talking about right wing haters. I'm talking about us, progressive folks.

I admit I despise President Donald J. Trump. I want him to disappear. Choke on a chicken nugget, as my friends say every time he does something vicious, petty, gross, violent, sexist, racist, bullying, stupid… which is daily. I know. Soooo not Buddhist.

And when Trump was shot, a Buddhist friend wrote, lamenting on Facebook: “Just two more inches!” They lost friends over that. “What kind of Buddhist are you anyway?”

Well that person is a dark-skinned, gay, naturalized immigrant Buddhist. Every day they go outside they wonder if masked ICE agents will suddenly drive up behind them, pour out of a white van screaming with machine guns, violently throw them to the ground, showing no warrant, while people stand around taking videos for Instagram to show the injustice. They could easily be stolen away to Sudan or Central American within 24-48 hours, habeas corpus be damned, before any of their friends or family know they’re gone. Um yeah, that is scary. I can see why they’d prefer DJT not exist.

Yes, I can see why people are furious. I understand. I feel it, too. But when my Buddhist friend is really angry they send me photos of the Ikebana they’re working on… that’s the Japanese art of floral arrangement, emphasizing harmony, balance, and a deep connection with nature, in case you are wondering.

I interpret this as meaning hate is not the answer. You don’t have to agree, but hear me out.

Permission to Hate

There’s a strong contingent of liberals who are giving themselves permission to hate all who don’t agree with them.

Some examples I’d like to cite:

✅Purist queer folk who ostracize, shame and dismiss a curious potential ally who doesn’t know how to use “proper” terminology or maybe doesn’t agree with one trans issue or another because they don’t understand why it’s important. Do we thrust them out from under the progressive umbrella because of this? Listen to Sarah McBride talk about this on the Ezra Klein show.

"I think grace in politics means, one, creating room for disagreement: assuming good intentions, assuming that the people who are on the other side of an issue from you aren't automatically hateful, horrible people. I think it means creating some space for disagreement within your own coalition. I think it's a kindness that just feels so missing from our body politic and our national dialogue". ~Sarah McBride, a representative for Delaware's at-large congressional district.

✅One of my progressive friend absolutely hated Hillary Clinton because, “she used to not support gay marriage.” But I suggested that she had evolved quite significantly. “Well that’s because she’s a lying, flip-flopping politician!”

Hmmm, but didn’t we want her to change her mind? Didn’t we call, email, talk and eventually convince her to change her mind? Can’t that be perceived as a good quality? Someone seeing the error of their ways? In Ms. Clinton’s case, absolutely. She became the most progressive Secretary of States ever to serve.

During her tenure as Secretary of State (2009-2013), Hillary Clinton was known for her advocacy for gay rights on the international stage, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. She actively promoted LGBTQ+ rights globally, shifting from a focus on non-discrimination to an emphasis on full equality for LGBTQ+ individuals. ~Politico, summarized by ai.

✅And then there are those people, even some of my closest friends, who unequivocally hate all ICE “scum” despite the fact that not all ICE agents have the choice to be where they are and do what they do. A recent article in The Atlantic highlights the “miserable” morale inside ICE offices, and that their “mission impossible” deportation campaign, “has left many employees burned out and morally conflicted.”

But who are these people who hate all ICE folks, who have zero empathy and no allowance for a possible gray area? If you are one of these haters, please will you consider these questions.

Are you safe? Are you happy? Do you have enough money to pay for all food and medical appointments you need for your family? Do you have a consistent roof over your head? Do you have a decent job? A good education? Continuing education even? Do you go on vacation? Get out climbing, paddling or cycling regularly? Do you have fun? Do you have the right to do whatever you want with your own body? Dress how you want? Date or marry who you want without worrying about violence against you or your partner?

You’re probably answering yes to a lot of these things because you have the time to read my activist blog post.

So you don’t need to work for ICE. You can quit because of the injustices perpetuated! Fuck ICE! You can hate them.

But what if you’re this person? You’re Pedro, an entry-level ICE agent making $30,000. You’ve been on the job two years. You have two kids. You’re a single dad. You’re third-generation Mexican. You finished high school, but your kids aspire to to go college. So you got this ICE gig because it’s a stable government job where you can earn more as the years progress, thus giving them a shot at a better future. Still, your take-home pay is about $25,000 after taxes. Your rent is $1200 per month… Bills another $300. That leaves you with under $7000 per year to buy food, clothes, etc for you and your family. Are you in a position to lose your job with ICE? Probably not.

So yeah, sure, go ahead and hate on ICE agents. “Other” them. Make them into bad guys and gals.

But remember, all this hate just plays into the hands of the fascists, who would have us all at each other’s throats just so they can continue to monopolize power and money. It’s Donald J Trump, Russell Vought and Stephen Miller who hold the strings. We can choose to use our anger to fight the fascists. Or we can use it to fight each other. I’ll choose the former, thanks.